Elections have consequences. One of them is continuing US support for the European Project and the process of ever closer union, following Barack Obamas re-election last November. Had Mitt Romney won, there would have been a very different approach towards the EU, with a far greater emphasis upon advancing ties with nation states in Europe as opposed to currying favour with Brussels. Romneys approach was distinctly Eurosceptic, with frequent warnings against America ending up like Europe, with its big government, high tax approach.

As David Blair has reported, Philip Gordon, the US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, has just issued the latest edict from the Obama administration on Britains relationship with the EU, expressing his view that continuing British membership of the EU is "in the American interest":

Mr Gordon, the senior US diplomat with direct responsibility for relations with the EU and its member states, said that it was for the "British government and the British people to define their relationship with the European Union".

However, he stressed the importance that Washington attaches to Britain's current position as a leading member. "Britain has been such a special partner of the United States  that shares our values, shares our interests, has significant resources to bring to the table. More than most others, its voice within the European Union is essential and critical to the United States," said Mr Gordon.

"There are a lot of inevitably technical and detailed issues that have to be sorted out for every member of the European Union as it moves forward, but as a broad and general theme, we value a strong UK voice in a strong European Union."

“Frankly, British policy on Europe is none of President Obamas business. The present US administration is not only flat wrong on the EU, but it is also displaying a breathtaking arrogance that will win it few friends across the Atlantic in the second term of the Obama presidency.”

Got to LOVE this!

3
posted on 01/09/2013 4:56:49 PM PST
by MestaMachine
(Sometimes the smartest man in the room is standing in the midst of imbeciles.)

We must not allow any country to assert its sovereignty and leave a troublesome and worthless international organization. If the Brits leave the EU next thing Americans might start looking to kick the UN to the curb. < /sarc>

4
posted on 01/09/2013 5:09:06 PM PST
by KarlInOhio
(Choose one: the yellow and black flag of the Tea Party or the white flag of the Republican Party.)

Of course, it's not for the US government to dictate what the UK should or should not do, no more than the UK should tell the US what to do, but the US DOES have the right to state its' own opinions and preferences, particularly if a decision by the UK affects US interests. If that influences the path the British take, then so be it. Personally I think these statements are as likely to hinder as much as persuade. After all, no one likes being told what to do by someone else. If the great British public thinks the US is trying to tell them what to do, they are as likely to demand we do the exact opposite!

In this case, it suits the US for the UK to be closely attached to Europe. It doesn't suit the UK, for a very great number of very good reasons, but that of course is not the concern of the US. The US government is predominantly interested in promoting American interests, not British ones, which is as it should be.

The reason why the Americans like the Brits involved with Europe is that they provide a useful link with the still very important European countries. Britain has a "special relationship" with the US (based on shared history, language and culture), but the rest of Europe generally does NOT have a special relationship with the US (different language, culture etc). Therefore the Brits can explain to the Europeans what America is about, and explain to the Europeans what the Americans are about. A Britain heavily involved with European decision-making is better able to provide that link. The British are far more likely to follow Washingtons lead on an issue than, say, the French.

On a personal level, I haven't heard any of this spiel being related in the British press. The great mass of the British public is probably unaware of this statement, so I don't think its had much of an effect. Of course the British foreign office will have understood what is being said.

That’s a very good question. It may be just standard diplomat talk that wasn’t expected to make much of a stir but was picked up by a newspaper who wanted to play the “how dare the US tell us what to do” angle. OTOH, it seems to have been a very considered and deliberately made statement. I would guess that by announcing it very publically the US was trying to reinforce their message, which implies they have had a whiff of a potential change in British attitudes to Europe and they want to make it clear that they like things the way they are, thank you very much. It is certainly true that disillusion with the EU and especially the Eurozone is at an all time high in Britain, with anti-EU parties storming ahead in opinion polls. Maybe the US sees a major shift in European Politics coming up.

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